The beauty industry is already blown away by seeing the effect of castor oil on eyelashes and brows. This thick oil can magically regrow your hair. Since it is already proven that Castor Oil can regrow hair then why can’t try it for hair growth? Yes, there are many studies, and experiments going on to see the benefits of Castor Oil for hair growth. If there are any benefits, what are the effective uses of this oil will be the next question to seek an answer. We have gathered all the information about castor oil for hair growth and collected it in this article to make it easy for you.
This Article Contains;
- What is Castor Oil?
- Castor Oil for Hair Growth
- How To Use Castor Oil On Hair
- Cons of Using Castor Oil for Hair Growth
- Other Benefits of Castor Oil
What is Castor Oil?
Castor Oil is one of the naturally available oil from nature, extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. This plant is indigenous to the southeastern Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa, and India and is seen more in the tropical regions. The oil will be extracted from the castor beans by either mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, or a combination of pressing and extraction. However, mechanically pressed oil is good for both health and beauty care. Castor oil is rich in protein, antioxidants, vitamin E, nutrients, and fatty acids.
Castor oil is pale yellow in color, ultra-thick, and is being used as a remedial oil for thousands of years. People in India, massage their bodies with castor oil and then shower in hot water to get the spa effect. Castor oil is also used in Ayurveda to treat Piles, Diarrhea, Arthritis, Scrotum, and upset stomachs.
Now after all these years, Castor Oil has again become one of the well-known household essentials. Not just to treat deseases, Castor oil is proven to be one of the best Natural Oils For Glowing Skin and Healthier Hair.
Castor Oil For Hair Growth
According to board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., who is based in New York City, castor oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which may help improve overall skin, scalp, and hair health. Though this is not a proven result, there are many people who have used castor oil and swear by its benefits.
More than hair growth, Castor oil is known to treat the unhealthy, itchy, and dry scalp. When your scalp health is good automatically there will be regrowth of hair. Castor oil stimulates blood circulation when massaged in the right manner. This in turn strengthens the roots, helps the baby hair grow, and thus helps to maintain healthy hair.
Few people suggest not using Castor Oil because of its thick viscosity and may damage the hair while washing away. However, if used along with other natural oils for hair or any essential oils, castor oil becomes a great hair oil and works towards reducing hair damage.
According to this study, the omega-6 fatty acids help to improve hair growth by accelerating the growth factors in dermal papilla cells. These cells are located in the bulb of the hair follicle and thus contribute to the hair cycle. Since Castor Oil is rich in fatty acid, it is wise to make use of it as a hair growth oil.
How To Use Castor Oil On Hair
As we already know that castor oil is very thick in concentration, hence any other natural oil is essential to make it work. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to remove the castor oil from hair. Even if you wash multiple twice, the smell and greasiness may stay in the hair. Hence it is advised to know your hair type, take a sample test on a few hair strands and then start using castor oil.
In order to reduce the thickness and smell, there are many readymade products where castor oil is processed by adding other ingredients. This processed oil will be less thick and smells good but if you really want to see the effects then it is advised to use naturally cold-pressed castor oil.
You can use castor oil either as hair oil or as a hair mask. Let’s look at each method.
1) Castor Oil as Hair Oil
You can add any natural oil such as Coconut oil, Argan oil, or Jojoba oil with castor oil. Make sure to add Rosemary essential oil to avoid the smell.
- Take a half-tablespoon of any cold-pressed castor oil in a bowl. Add one tablespoon of coconut oil to it and mix generously. Dip your finger to see the thickness. If you feel it is still thick and cannot be applied to hair then add more coconut oil.
- Warm this mixture in oven or on the stove for 10 seconds. It should be warm enough to dip your fingers in the oil. Heating too much may heat the oil and burn your scalp.
- Massage your scalp with this warm oil using your fingertips.
- Apply to the entire hair length. Don’t apply too much oil from mid hair to the ends.
- Make sure not to touch your nose, upper lip, or any other part of the face.
- Let the oil absorb by hair roots for up to 30 minutes.
- Wash with your favorite shampoo or with any of these best micellar shampoos. Wash thoroughly to make sure to eliminate the oiliness from the scalp and hair.
- Repeat this every week and see those tiny baby hair growing on your scalp.
2) Castor Oil as Hair Mask
The benefits of DIY Hair Masks For Healthy Hair growth are countless. The hair masks you purchase outside are mostly made of chemicals damaging your hair in one or the other way. Hence making your own hair mask has many benefits to hair growth and also costs less.
You can mix Castor oil with any ingredients such as Aloe Vera, or Egg to get a good consistency of the hair mask.
Aloe Vera and Castor Oil Hair Mask
- Take out the gel from Aloe Vera Leaf in a bowl. You can also purchase natural Aloe vera gel from the store.
- Add a few drops of castor oil into the bowl and combine everything properly.
- Rosemerry essential oil is optional.
- Apply this mixture to the scalp and then to the entire hair.
- Use a comb to spread the mixture evenly throughout the length of the hair.
- Leave for 30 minutes and then wash with your regular shampoo.
Cons of Using Castor Oil for Hair Growth
There are no side effects of Castor oil when used on hair. The only problem that occurs is not knowing the right method for the use of castor oil. Many people use it directly on hair and end up with Acute hair felting. If you have thin hair, initially castor oil may give you hair fall because your hair may need a bulk quantity of shampoo to remove castor oil grease from the hair. The hair may smell weird after using the castor oil. People who have allergies to this kind of smell are advised to not to use castor oil at all!
Other Benefits of Castor Oil
- When applied to the skin castor oil penetrates deep down to skin layers and helps to cure skin problems of the root. Without making the face look oily or greasy, castor oil is good for maintaining skin hydration even during winters.
- Since it retains its temperature and viscosity irrespective of the temperature it is used as one of the ingredients in lubricants.
- Castor oil is best known as a serum for eyelashes and eyebrows. One of the proven methods to regrow lashes and brows.
- It acts as a natural moisturizer and can be used for both skin and hair.
- This oil is known to help with digestion by stimulating the movement of muscles through the intestine hence clearing the bowels.
- Castor oil is also used in conjunctive eye treatment.
